The Secret World of Connie Starr by Robbi Neal

Author:Robbi Neal
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQ Fiction
Published: 2022-05-19T00:00:00+00:00

It took Thom just over six weeks to become a seasoned drinker with the best of them. After another hard day of doing nothing, Thom and his mates were at the Blood House this early Wednesday evening and Thom was on his third beer. A hand slapped down onto Thom’s shoulder and he turned to see Mister Rowbo-tham’s beer-addled smile not far from his ear.

‘Mister Rowbotham,’ he exclaimed, surprised he was in the pub, because until then he’d only ever seen him in church or at the barracks. ‘And Ronny and Trevor,’ and the boys pulled him into bear hugs and called out to the publican, ‘Another brave Ballarat soldier, mateys – the Japs can’t beat us boys from Ballarat.’

‘The other two boys are somewhere as well, except Johnny, who they declared a sapper and he was sent off today – who knows where. Somewhere to build a bridge I expect – they won’t tell us. How’s your father, son?’ said Mister Rowbotham.

‘I haven’t had mail since I joined up, Mr Rowbotham,’ said Thom.

Thom felt Mister Rowbotham sizing him up and he looked hard at the ground.

‘Well,’ said Mister Rowbotham, ‘it’s John here, son, we’re all in the same boat now. We sink or swim together, eh? No more of this Mister Rowbotham business,’ and he slapped Thom hard on the back. Looking at the others standing around them, he said, ‘You heard the Japs are in Malaya,’ and they took a large swig for luck for the Allies and another and another.

Just before midnight Thom stumbled back to his barracks. Mossley held him up. He and the others would wake late tomorrow with swollen brains, dried-out veins and unseeing, blinking eyes. None of this was allowed, of course, the leaving of barracks at night, the drinking and the drunkenness.

But it was Darwin.

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